Meds Used for High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is beneficial because it builds cells and produces hormones that are essential for body maintenance. The liver makes the cholesterol that is necessary for proper body function--but when you consume eggs, dairy products, meat and other high-fat foods, you are consuming more cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can lead to coronary artery disease. A proper diet and exercise are important for everyone, but diet and exercise are sometimes not enough to control high cholesterol.

Identification

• A number of different medications are used to treat high cholesterol. Statins are the usual choice. They include popular names like Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor and Crestor. Nicolar and Niaspan are Nicotinic acid, which is a B-complex vitamin. Questran, Colestid and WelChol are bile-acid resins. Atromid, Tricor and Lopid are fibrates.

Function

• Statins block the enzyme, HMG-CoAreductase, that is in the liver and makes cholesterol. Though cholesterol is important for normal cell function, it can also contribute to atherosclerosis. Nicolar and Niaspan lower the bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, and raise the good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol. Questian, Colestid and WelChol stop bile from entering the circulatory system. Bile is mostly cholesterol. Atromid, Ticor and Lopid reduce triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol. A new drug, Ezetimibe, stops the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.

Effects

• All drugs used for lowering cholesterol have side effects. Those side effects are different for each individual. Physicians may change medications until they find one that works best for the patient. One concern is whether the liver continues to function correctly. Some people experience constipation, skin rashes, heartburn or dizziness. As with all medications, when the body adjusts, some effects disappear. However, if the patient experiences muscle aches, he needs to notify his doctor immediately.

Warning

• Never drink grapefruit juice while you are taking cholesterol-lowering medications. It affects the liver's ability to process the medication. Do not take anticoagulants with these drugs, and never take other cholesterol-lowering drugs with the ones prescribed by a doctor.

Considerations

• Having high cholesterol does not mean you have to take medication. The medical community recommends a low-fat, high-fiber diet, along with exercise. Doctors will not prescribe medication unless diet and exercise do not work, the patient has heart disease, or the patient is at high risk of atherosclerosis.